Further Measures to Detect, Prevent or Reduce Risk of Monkeypox Virus Transmission on Inbound Flights or Travel into Singapore and Safeguards in Place at Checkpoints
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim's inquiry about measures to detect and prevent monkeypox transmission on inbound travel and safeguards protecting checkpoint users and staff. Minister for Transport Mr S Iswaran highlighted that aircraft use HEPA filters and travelers are required to wear masks, while all arrivals must submit health declarations. Unwell travelers are referred to Health Screening Stations, and health alert information is disseminated to encourage personal hygiene and the avoidance of contact with infected subjects. Frontline airport workers must wear surgical masks or additional personal protective equipment in high-risk settings, supported by established contact tracing procedures and reminders for staff vigilance. The Ministry of Transport continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to monitor the evolving situation and review health measures at Changi Airport and Seletar Airport.
Transcript
22 Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Transport (a) what further measures will be taken to detect, prevent or reduce the risk of monkeypox virus transmission on inbound flights or travel into Singapore; and (b) what are the safeguards in place at our checkpoints to protect users and officers stationed there against infection.
Mr S Iswaran: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure sufficient safeguards to protect the health of travellers and our aviation workers.
To mitigate the risk of infections on flights, the cabin air filtration systems on aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, which are very effective at trapping microscopic particles as small as bacteria and viruses. All travellers over age six are also required to wear a mask except when eating or drinking, or if prescribed medical and safety exemptions apply.
All inbound travellers are required to submit a health declaration before immigration clearance. Unwell travellers will be referred to the Health Screening Station for further assessment on arrival. There is also Health Alert information provided to travellers to raise awareness of the monkeypox outbreak and encourage precautionary measures; these include maintaining a high standard of personal hygiene, avoiding direct contact with skin lesions of infected living or dead persons or animals, and avoiding contact with wild animals and consumption of bush meat.
All frontline airport workers interacting with passengers are required to wear a surgical mask. Workers in a high risk environment, such as when interacting with symptomatic travellers, don additional personal protective equipment (PPE). Airport workers have been reminded to be vigilant and there are procedures in place to perform contact tracing if an infected case is detected.
We will continue to work closely with MOH to monitor the evolving public health situation and review our measures at Changi Airport and Seletar Airport where necessary.